Possible FA target: Matt Elam, S

[Rags]

I'm working on a series of off season pre-draft threads, where I compare possible prospects for us with top prospects from previous drafts. Because I love talking about things I have no control over.

I'm starting with Malik Hooker vs Jamal Adams (and it should be up before the weekend is over if I'm not lazy.), and while I was looking over past prospects, no one surprised me more than the failure of former first round pick Matt Elam, SS out of Florida. I was pretty high on, and actually wouldn't have minded us drafting in the 2012 NFL draft.

Elam had a lot on his shoulders day 1 in Baltimore. Touted as the heir apparent to Ed Reed, a LOT was placed on his shoulders. His rookie season, he was the starter at FS, where he had an up and down season. Year two, he was set to be in a more fitting SS role, but the starting FS, Michael Huff, was Nakamura levels of terrible and was cut, moving Elam back to FS and leaving him with largely deep field tasks. 

Will Hill eventually came in and took over the SS position in 2014, and Elam was sharing snaps with Darian Stewart. In 2015 he looked to finally be coming into his own during TC, but missed the season with a torn bicep. This past season he continued showing growth, but missed a majority of the season with a knee injury. With the Ravens declining to pick up the 5th year option, Matt Elam is set to become a free agent.

Now why would I say an under acheving, injury prone bust should be a target for us, and the answer is easy.

Matt Elam fits what the Panthers look for in the secondary like a glove.

Let's take a look at some scouting reports on him.

“Plays close to the line of scrimmage or in the box very often. At his best when asked to make a play, either blitzing or one-on-one on the edge. Frequently assigned to cover the slot receiver. There are times when he flashes tremendous disruption when the play is developing in front of him. Has catch-up speed to chase down when he wants to. Gets hand up to disrupt at the catch point even if head is not turned to locate the football.” - NFL.com

 

"While at Florida, Elam lined up all over the place in the team’s ever-shifting formations. He appeared to have a tremendous amount of responsibility on the Gators defense and was very active before the snap, helping move teammates into the right positions.

During his time in Gainesville, he was tasked with playing zone in deep and shallow areas. Likewise, he also lined up in man coverage at the core of the formation, in the slot and outside." - Ryan Lownes, Bleacherreport

"Elam has the size and aggressiveness to function as the eighth man in the box. He needs to work on his tackling fundamentals, but once he improves them he should be a good run-defender in the NFL. 

Elam has good instincts, so his NFL team should allow him to rove around the field and make plays. On passes downfield, he has good ball skills to go with his hitting ability. Elam could be a ball hawk in the right scheme. He was also a special teams stud for Florida on coverage units. He should be an asset as a gunner in the NFL."  Walterfootball

You may have noticed in a previous paragraph, I had SS bolded. That's for a reason; If you're going to play him at saftey, that's who Elam is. He is an in the box guy, more suited for covering slot guys and blitzing. That's not to say he lacks the ability to cover deep, far from it,  just that shouldn't be his sole responsiblity. But that is how he was used a majority of his career in Baltimore, and we see how that went.

But reading over from those excerpts, its clear how he'd fit for us. A guy who can play in the box, but can also cover slot WRs and TEs, he's also an excellent blitzer. Adding Elam can give us a weapon in the secondary that we haven't had since Mike Mitchell and Captian Munnerlyn left. Possibly bringing in a skill set that an Matheiu or Collins have injected into their respective defenses.

Another valuable asset Elam would bring is a vocal leader in the secondary. Something I don't think Carolina has had in a very, very long time. Baltimore Beatdown writer Kyle P Barber (which is where I got a majority of this info from in this article, so shoutouts to him) noted that in the past training camp, everything was starting to make sense for Elam. He was barking out orders and audibles for the secondary. He's a strong character and leadership guy, and would be a much welcome additon to the locker room, and definitely to a secondary which had many issues in 2016.

Yes, it could be just as easy that Elam is just a bust. His talents from Florida just didn't transfer into the Pros. And to add onto it now he's damaged goods. But what's wrong with taking a slight risk? We have had plenty of starters come in from one/two year deals, and its not like the asking price will be high on him. We have had more questions than answers since some key departures in 2014, hell we turned to a retired Courtland Finnegan last year in the playoffs. Elams skill set and character speaks volumes about him, and he could very well be the injection this secondary, and team, needs.

 

 

[imminent rogaine]

Any idea what his market value is projected to be? I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on him as long as it doesn't burn us if he doesn't work out

[Ivan The Awesome]

28 minutes ago, Rags said:

I'm working on a series of off season pre-draft threads, where I compare possible prospects for us with top prospects from previous drafts. Because I love talking about things I have no control over.

I'm starting with Malik Hooker vs Jamal Adams (and it should be up before the weekend is over if I'm not lazy.), and while I was looking over past prospects, no one surprised me more than the failure of former first round pick Matt Elam, SS out of Florida. I was pretty high on, and actually wouldn't have minded us drafting in the 2012 NFL draft.

Elam had a lot on his shoulders day 1 in Baltimore. Touted as the heir apparent to Ed Reed, a LOT was placed on his shoulders. His rookie season, he was the starter at FS, where he had an up and down season. Year two, he was set to be in a more fitting SS role, but the starting FS, Michael Huff, was Nakamura levels of terrible and was cut, moving Elam back to FS and leaving him with largely deep field tasks. 

Will Hill eventually came in and took over the SS position in 2014, and Elam was sharing snaps with Darian Stewart. In 2015 he looked to finally be coming into his own during TC, but missed the season with a torn bicep. This past season he continued showing growth, but missed a majority of the season with a knee injury. With the Ravens declining to pick up the 5th year option, Matt Elam is set to become a free agent.

Now why would I say an under acheving, injury prone bust should be a target for us, and the answer is easy.

Matt Elam fits what the Panthers look for in the secondary like a glove.

Let's take a look at some scouting reports on him.

“Plays close to the line of scrimmage or in the box very often. At his best when asked to make a play, either blitzing or one-on-one on the edge. Frequently assigned to cover the slot receiver. There are times when he flashes tremendous disruption when the play is developing in front of him. Has catch-up speed to chase down when he wants to. Gets hand up to disrupt at the catch point even if head is not turned to locate the football.” - NFL.com

 

"While at Florida, Elam lined up all over the place in the team’s ever-shifting formations. He appeared to have a tremendous amount of responsibility on the Gators defense and was very active before the snap, helping move teammates into the right positions.

During his time in Gainesville, he was tasked with playing zone in deep and shallow areas. Likewise, he also lined up in man coverage at the core of the formation, in the slot and outside." - Ryan Lownes, Bleacherreport

"Elam has the size and aggressiveness to function as the eighth man in the box. He needs to work on his tackling fundamentals, but once he improves them he should be a good run-defender in the NFL. 

Elam has good instincts, so his NFL team should allow him to rove around the field and make plays. On passes downfield, he has good ball skills to go with his hitting ability. Elam could be a ball hawk in the right scheme. He was also a special teams stud for Florida on coverage units. He should be an asset as a gunner in the NFL."  Walterfootball

You may have noticed in a previous paragraph, I had SS bolded. That's for a reason; If you're going to play him at saftey, that's who Elam is. He is an in the box guy, more suited for covering slot guys and blitzing. That's not to say he lacks the ability to cover deep, far from it,  just that shouldn't be his sole responsiblity. But that is how he was used a majority of his career in Baltimore, and we see how that went.

But reading over from those excerpts, its clear how he'd fit for us. A guy who can play in the box, but can also cover slot WRs and TEs, he's also an excellent blitzer. Adding Elam can give us a weapon in the secondary that we haven't had since Mike Mitchell and Captian Munnerlyn left. Possibly bringing in a skill set that an Matheiu or Collins have injected into their respective defenses.

Another valuable asset Elam would bring is a vocal leader in the secondary. Something I don't think Carolina has had in a very, very long time. Baltimore Beatdown writer Kyle P Barber (which is where I got a majority of this info from in this article, so shoutouts to him) noted that in the past training camp, everything was starting to make sense for Elam. He was barking out orders and audibles for the secondary. He's a strong character and leadership guy, and would be a much welcome additon to the locker room, and definitely to a secondary which had many issues in 2016.

Yes, it could be just as easy that Elam is just a bust. His talents from Florida just didn't transfer into the Pros. And to add onto it now he's damaged goods. But what's wrong with taking a slight risk? We have had plenty of starters come in from one/two year deals, and its not like the asking price will be high on him. We have had more questions than answers since some key departures in 2014, hell we turned to a retired Courtland Finnegan last year in the playoffs. Elams skill set and character speaks volumes about him, and he could very well be the injection this secondary, and team, needs.

 

 

 

 

Change of scenery and scheme might be what he needs. Baltimore's Defense is like comparing apples to oranges. I remember wanting him in that draft, he does fit our scheme a lot more than Baltimores. 

 

This is why I believe so much in gettleman, he goes after the BPA but for our team. Look at Baltimore, essentially wasted a draft pick on Elam because he was high coveted but never really transitioned to their scheme. I don't think that he fit their scheme either. But they took him either way. Their loss could be our gain.  Great write up. 

[Peppers90 NC]

He was stuck playing FS so we haven't really seen his potential yet. We won't either if he can't be on the field

[Eazy-E]

We should be willing to kick the tires on anyone with potential if the price is right.

[toldozer]

I'm on the cyprien train. 

[Jon Snow]

Why not? They picked up Steven Hill and let him ride the practice squad for a couple of years, why not this guy?   If he can pass a physical sign his ass I say.

[SOJA]

The truth is there is absolutely no reason we shouldn't be able to walk away from FA with a quality SS.......which will be interesting to see how the draft plays out if Adams is available at 8

[Ricky Spanish]

I'm not against this move by any means. If nothing else it's a quality depth signing at a position we need depth at desperately. 

[Guest Lasus83]

Does he beat women?

No?

Sign him up

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[Ivan The Awesome]

Between him and Cyprien, I'm not sure which one I want more. The key here will be will there be a chance to get them at a good price or not so over bearing one. We have the cash but G man shouldn't blow his load on one single player. 

[MHS831]

Rags, I think you are on to something because I think $$ spent on a SS in free agency is more justified than trying to find one in the draft.  Elam will not cost crazy money either.  I am guessing a $5m per gets him?  Cyprein is another option--I feel that we spend a bit to check SS off the list--we need a starter, not a project, so short of Adams, I am not liking the draft. Signing a SS in free agency could give us a first round pick, if you look at it that way, because we would not be all-in on Adams.

[Ivan The Awesome]

5 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Rags, I think you are on to something because I think $$ spent on a SS in free agency is more justified than trying to find one in the draft.  Elam will not cost crazy money either.  I am guessing a $5m per gets him?  Cyprein is another option--I feel that we spend a bit to check SS off the list--we need a starter, not a project, so short of Adams, I am not liking the draft. Signing a SS in free agency could give us a first round pick, if you look at it that way, because we would not be all-in on Adams.

not necessarily, look at the Falcons and Neal. He wasn't as hyped up as Elam and Cyprien. But he was the starter day one and has been a force with the falcons. 

[MHS831]

17 minutes ago, Ivan The Awesome said:

not necessarily, look at the Falcons and Neal. He wasn't as hyped up as Elam and Cyprien. But he was the starter day one and has been a force with the falcons. 

Was he not a first rounder though?  I see your point--at S, you really need to find the athlete that has the skill set to match your system.

Here is name that sounds like a Gettlemen free agent: 

Micah Hyde

He will be looking for a starting gig--he can play SS and FS, which makes him a nice fit for our D--if it stays the same.